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Pope Appoints Auxiliary Bishop to Diocese of Westminster

30/06/2011 9:00 am

(Photograph of Fr Sherrigton)
Pope Benedict XVI today has appointed Father John Sherrington as Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Westminster.

The Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-elect Fr Sherrington will take place on Wednesday 14 September at Westminster Cathedral (the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, Westminster), London SW1.

Fr Sherrington, 53, was ordained a priest for the Nottingham Diocese in 1987 and has been parish priest for the Good Shepherd Parish in Nottingham for the past two years. In addition to various diocesan curial responsibilities, Fr Sherrington has also assisted the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales on ethical issues and was a part of the working party for the Bishops’ Conference document ‘Cherishing Life’ (2005).

After a degree in Mathematics from Cambridge University and two years working for Arthur Andersen Management Consultants London, Fr Sherrington was accepted by Bishop McGuinness for the Nottingham Diocese and joined seminary at All Hallows in Dublin. He later gained an STL in Moral Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome and lectured in moral theology at All Hallows in Dublin and then at St John’s Seminary in Wonersh, Guildford.

Fr Sherrington said: “I feel very humble at being appointed Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Westminster. I feel an excitement about the opportunity and a fear of what is expected. I know that I will need to rely on God’s grace more deeply than ever before and to cultivate my life of prayer. I will use my gifts to the full and to the best of my ability.”

“I hope that I can help people to know more deeply that they are loved by God, who calls them in their hearts to serve others. I would like to communicate the hope of the Gospel to those in distress and need.”

“I look forward to working in the Diocese of Westminster. I will miss Bishop Malcolm and the priests of Nottingham as well as my parish, and the people who have cared for me, loved me and supported me in my priestly ministry. I look forward to working with Archbishop Vincent, his auxiliaries, Bishops Alan and John, the priests and people in the Diocese.”

The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, said: “I am very grateful to the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, for appointing Fr John Sherrington as Auxiliary Bishop to this Diocese of Westminster. Bishop-elect Sherrington is a priest of wide experience, fine abilities and a generous, graceful nature. I welcome him most warmly as will every member of this Diocese. He will also be a much-valued member of the Bishops' Conference. I thank the Diocese of Nottingham and I am sure that its people and priests will continue to support him with their prayers.”

1980: Pilgrimage to Lourdes with ACROSS and the Jumbulance which I see as very important in my journey to priesthood as well as subsequent pilgrimages to Lourdes

1980-1982: Worked for Arthur Andersen Management Consultants London

1982: Accepted by Bishop McGuinness for Nottingham Diocese, although I had worked in London I felt called back to my home diocese to serve

1982-1987: Seminary formation at All Hallows College Dublin

13 June 1987: Ordained Priest for the Diocese of Nottingham

1987-1988: Assistant Priest, Diocese of Nottingham, Ratcliffe on Trent near Nottingham, first introduction to mental health care in large hospital and also Youth offender Institute

1988-1990: STL Gregorian University, Moral Theology

1990-1998: Lecturer in Moral Theology, Formation Work All Hallows College, Dublin
This also provided the opportunity for summer pastoral work in Los Angeles (three times) and twice summer teaching at a Vincentian Seminary in Quezon City Philippines

1998-2004: Lecturer in Moral Theology, St. John's Seminary, Wonersh, Guildford UK and for some time Director of Studies

2005: Member of the Bishops' Conference Working Party writing Cherishing Life

2004-2009: Parish Priest, Our Lady of Lourdes, Derby
Also part of the chaplaincy team for the Mental Health Trust and Acute Trust
Member of the Bishop's Council and Episcopal Vicar for Derbyshire
Chair of the Diocesan Board of Commissions
Chair of the Marriage and Family Life Commission of the Diocese
Member of the British Catholic-Methodist Committee

2004: Appointed to the British Order of Malta Bioethics Committee
Member of the Bishops' Conference Healthcare Reference Group

2009: Parish Priest, Good Shepherd Parish, Nottingham

Since 2004, member of various hospital ethics committees, Boards of School Governors, and the University of Derby Research Ethics Committee